Pregnancy symptoms at 19 weeks pregnant

There are so many different things that can happen to your body during pregnancy. Hormones and all those changes designed to support your growing baby combine to make your life very uncomfortable at times.

Leg cramps: After a long day, all you want is a good nights’ sleep. But leg cramps are a common pregnancy issue and can strike at any time. Generally these are in your calves, although they can be along the front of your shins too. They are incredibly painful, and hard to resolve. There seems to be no reason for these, and no real cure. Studies haven’t found any link to dehydration or magnesium deficiencies. When the cramp occurs, the only thing to do is stretch your foot in the opposite direction.

Constant hunger: Anyone would think you were turning into a Hobbit, with first and second breakfasts, followed by elevenses, and then an early lunch. This is normal, and some research says if you’re having a boy, you’ll be hungrier than if you were having a girl. Whatever the reason, having lots of yummy but sort-of-healthy snacks on hand can keep you happy and fed.

Constipation: Your body has slowed digestion down in order to absorb more nutrients. Also, your growing baby is putting extra weight on your intestines. Together, this adds up to constipation. Iron supplements can make this worse too (note, that generally it’s preferred you take an iron tablet every other day, not every day). Eat lots of fibre-rich foods, and chat to your midwife about how to keep things moving.

Faintness: Stood up a bit quick and started blacking out? Or maybe you felt a wave of shakiness while making dinner. However it manifests, this is another fun side effect of pregnancy. It could be pressure on blood vessels, a weird random high or low blood sugar level, or that your body is redirecting extra blood towards the baby, not you. Whatever the reason, don’t ignore it. Make sure you stay hydrated, don’t over-do it at the gym, and if it starts to become a problem, seek help from a professional.

19 week pregnancy scan

Most couples choose to have an ultrasound scan between 18-20 weeks to check on their baby's growth and development. This ultrasound is called the ‘anomaly’ or anatomy scan, and will include detailed examinations of your baby's internal organs to ensure they are all functioning properly and identify any problems early. This scan looks at heart, bones, spinal cord, kidneys, abdomen and brain development. It is also designed to look specifically for potential abnormalities like a cleft lip, spina bifida, Edwards or Patau’s syndrome, and anencephaly.

While the scan cannot see everything that could potentially be wrong, some of the major issues can be identified and a plan created for their treatment. Don’t worry too much though, most scans are normal and it’s only a small number of cases that find abnormalities.

If you want to, you may also be able to find out the sex of your baby at this scan. Your LMC will give you a referral form for the ultrasound.

Getting jiggy with it at 19 weeks

You and your partner may have discussed whether having sex will hurt your developing baby. This is not the case, sex does not impact your unborn child at all. Sex is generally safe throughout pregnancy, unless your midwife or obstetrician advises you otherwise.

But just because it is safe, doesn't always mean you're going to want to have it. Many pregnant  women find they are not interested in sex at all, or craving it constantly, or can swing wildly between the two. This depends on a lot of factors, including fatigue, challenges with the changing body, growing size, and anxiety over the birth. Keep the lines of communication with your partner open as these issues come up. Even though you may both be preoccupied with the baby, it's important to have some "together time," too. 

Pre-natal depression

Just like post-natal depression, those crusading hormones can play havoc with your body and brain while you’re pregnant. Pre-natal depression affects about 13% of women. It’s different from the ups and downs of a normal pregnancy in that it’s constant, the anxiety and sadness can take over, and you may find yourself distressed with thoughts of harming of your baby or something happening to you. If you find yourself feeling irritable, sad, or overwhelmed all the time, lacking energy, having problems sleeping, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, are no longer enjoying activities you used to, and a range of other emotional problems, speak to your midwife. This is treatable and you don’t have to put up with it.

Can you feel baby movement at 19 weeks pregnant?

This is generally when first time mums feel their first kicks! It can be an exciting time and feels like you can’t wait to feel his or her next movement. Don’t worry if you can’t feel any squirming around yet, if the placenta is posterior or the baby is facing inwards, you might not feel anything yet, but it will happen soon.

Those first few kicks feel amazing. As he or she grows, they will become more forceful, definitely noticeable from outside the stomach, and can keep you up at night. Dads can often feel movement from now onwards, although typically that’s from 22-ish weeks.

Your baby at 19 weeks pregnant

At 19 weeks pregnant, your baby has waxy substance called vernix caseosa (literally translates to ‘cheesy varnish’ in Latin) over its body. This helps prevent the delicate, just-formed skin from becoming chapped from the amniotic fluid. Babies born prematurely will likely have some of this still on when they arrive, but it should have gone by full term.

Your baby's brain is growing millions of motor neurons. These are the nerves that connect the muscles to the brain and control motor movements. This means that your baby may now be able to make conscious muscle movements.

Milk teeth have formed under his or her gums, ready for their arrival when they are six months old. Your baby is also starting to have similar wake and sleep patterns to a newborn. The lungs are developing, with the main airways forming from now.

Your baby will be able to hear the noises within your body such as your heart beating and your blood flowing.  After birth, you may find your baby settles better when held close to your chest, this is because the sound of your heartbeat is comforting and familiar to him or her.

How big is my baby at 19 weeks pregnant?

Your baby is now about 15cm long and weighs around 200-230 grams.

19 weeks pregnant is how many months?

When you’re 19 weeks pregnant, you’re five months pregnant. Almost at that halfway point.